Paddling Classes

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Quick Start Stand Up Paddleboard

Stand up paddleboarding is a new and exciting way to get out into nature while, at the same time, having a full-body, paddling experience. This introductory course is for those without previous stand up paddleboard experience. It begins with learning to paddle in the prone position, progresses to the kneeling position and concludes with the stand up position. Students will learn how to identify the “sweet spot”, conduct basic turns, paddle efficiently by using the “paddler’s box” and utilize techniques for safely falling off the board.

This 1.5-hour course is taught on the Haw River above the dams at both Saxapahaw and Bynum, NC. Participants are responsible for providing clothing and footwear that can get wet, and a change of clothing for the ride home.

Fee: $30 per person.

Next dates:

1:00 pm Saturday, 14 March 2015

1:00 pm Saturday, 11 April 2015

1:00 pm Saturday, 9 May 2015

1:00 pm Saturday, 13 June 2015

1:00 pm Saturday, 11 July 2015

1:00 pm Saturday, 8 August 2015

1:00 pm Saturday, 12 September 2015

1:00 pm Saturday, 10 October 2015

Quick Start for Kayak

Designed for the total beginner who doesn’t have time for more in-depth instruction, the “Quick Start” course offers a 3 hour, intense introduction to kayaking. The course emphasizes safety, enjoyment and skill acquisition, and follows American Canoe Association guidelines. Specific topics include personal preparation for the trip, safety and rescue, proper equipment, getting started and maneuvers. A review at the end of the course will help to insure learning.

Fee: $60 per person.

Next dates:

9:00 am Saturday, 14 March 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 11 April 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 9 May 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 13 June 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 11 July 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 8 August 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 12 September 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 10 October 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 7 November 2015

Quick Start for Canoe

Designed for the total beginner who doesn’t have time for more in-depth instruction, the “Quick Start” course offers a 3 hour, intense introduction to canoeing. The course emphasizes safety, enjoyment and skill acquisition, and follows American Canoe Association guidelines. Specific topics include personal preparation for the trip, safety and rescue, proper equipment, getting started and maneuvers. A review at the end of the course will help to insure learning.

Fee: $60 per person.

Next dates:

9:00 am Saturday, 14 March 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 11 April 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 9 May 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 13 June 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 11 July 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 8 August 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 12 September 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 10 October 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 7 November 2015

Introduction to Recreational Kayaking

Paddling technique, safety and enjoyment are emphasized in this 8 hour introduction to recreational kayaking. Instruction is designed to give participants a solid foundation in recreational kayaking — beginning with choosing the correct equipment and moving to proper weld, entry and launch techniques; balance; bracing; strokes; safety; self-rescue techniques; assisted rescue techniques; and trip planning. There is plenty of time to observe birds and wildlife while practicing various techniques. We will break in the middle for lunch so bring a bag lunch with you.

Fee: $120 per person.

Next dates:

9:00 am Saturday, 14 March 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 11 April 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 9 May 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 13 June 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 11 July 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 8 August 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 12 September 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 10 October 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 7 November 2015

Introduction to River Canoeing

This 8 hour introductory course in the basics of river canoeing stresses technique, safety and enjoyment. Instruction is designed to provide both an understanding of the principals of canoeing and an opportunity to develop skill through practice. You will learn about equipment, strokes, maneuvering in current, river reading, safety, rescue techniques and knot tying. You will also have an opportunity to paddle both solo and in tandem. If the opportunity presents itself, we will take time to observe wildlife. We will break in the middle for lunch so bring a bag lunch with you.

Fee: $120 per person.

Next dates:

9:00 am Saturday, 14 March 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 11 April 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 9 May 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 13 June 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 11 July 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 8 August 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 12 September 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 10 October 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 7 November 2015

Basic River Safety

Our full-day basic river safety course is geared towards individuals looking to gain confidence for their next river adventure. This course consists of a short classroom session followed by both on-land and on-water activities. Topics cover from what to wear, essential gear to carry and an introduction to basic river rescue. At least half of the course is devoted to skill acquisition and practice in a controlled environment.

Fee: $100 per person.

Next dates: This trip is not currently scheduled.

Introduction to Whitewater Kayaking

This weekend introductory course in the basics of whitewater kayaking stresses technique, safety and enjoyment. Instruction is designed to provide both an understanding of the pricipals of kayaking in class II whitewater and an opportunity to develop skill through practice.

Class the first day includes an overview of general safety practices, rescue gear and a paddler’s responsibilities. Time will be spent learning basic strokes, whitewater maneuvers (e.g., upstream and downstream ferries, eddy turns and peel-outs) and river reading.

Class the second day is a full-day paddle trip where river running topics are discussed and practiced. Topics include running the shuttle, lead & sweep boats, scouting rapids, water levels and river features like strainers, rooster tails, holes, pillows, downriver & upriver V’s and waves. Executing ferries and peel-outs and conducting eddy turns are practiced throughout the day.

Kayak Roll Classes & Practice

Haw River Canoe and Kayak Co has joined forces with the Burlington Maynard Aquatic Center to offer the Piedmont paddling community an opportunity to take kayak roll instruction any Wednesday night throughout the year. There is no better place to start learning entry level, or advanced paddling skills than in a large, crystal clear pool. Our sessions are from 7:00pm to 8:30 pm. The address for Burlington Maynard Aquatic Center is 1402 Overbrook Road. Burlington, NC 27215

All gear can be provided with instruction. We can provide whitewater, or touring kayaks for our instruction. You are also welcome to bring your own gear to use in this class, we only require that you clean your gear thoroughly to ensure you do not introduce any algae into the pools water system.

This course is made up of 4 sessions of 1.5 hours each. Very few people master a kayak roll the first session, but by the fourth session, students should have a confident flatwater roll. Private boaters are also welcome to come in and use the pool with their own equipment to practice rolling for a $5.00 entry fee (Paid to the BMAC at their front desk).

With summer in full swing there is no better way to cool off than to be rolling down the river.

Fee: $100 per person for instruction plus $5.00 entrance fee paid to BMAC for each session.

To practice your rolls with your own boat and paddling gear there is just the $5.00 entrance fee, paid to BMAC.

Private Kayak Instruction

We offer one-on-one instruction for individuals looking to acquire kayaking skills in a private setting. From beginner recreational kayaking to advanced whitewater kayaking, instruction will be tailored to the individual. The instructor will emphasize water safety and correct paddling technique.

Fee: $60 per person for 1.5 hours of private instruction.

Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga

Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga is a natural extension of Yoga – it encourages calm and focus, but it’s done outside, with nature serving as the studio space. Being on the water will add a little more balance challenge too!

In Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga, we’ll offer a short tutorial on paddling a board and after a short paddle, we’ll move through a Yoga practice as a group. The practice will be tailored to participants’ experience with yoga. You’ll learn to perform Yoga poses while floating on water. Because of the moving surface, you’ll be engaging muscles that you would not normally, which makes this a fun and challenging class! Adding the imbalance of floating means that you’ll have to use your core much more than you would in a studio yoga class. We’ll finish with seated meditation on the board and of course some time floating in Relaxation Pose. You may want to plan to get wet; falling off the board has been known to happen.

This 1.5 hour course is taught on the Haw River above the dams in Bynum & Saxapahaw, NC. Participants are responsible for providing clothing and footwear that can get wet, a towel and a change of clothing for the ride home.

Fee: $45 per person.

Next dates:

2:00 pm Friday, 17 April 2015

2:00 pm Friday, 24 April 2015

2:00 pm Friday, 1 May 2015

2:00 pm Friday, 8 May 2015

2:00 pm Friday, 15 May 2015

2:00 pm Friday, 22 May 2015

2:00 pm Friday, 29 May 2015

2:00 pm Friday, 5 June 2015

2:00 pm Friday, 12 June 2015

2:00 pm Friday, 19 June 2015

Introduction to Whitewater Canoeing

This weekend introductory course in the basics of whitewater canoeing stresses technique, safety and enjoyment. Instruction is designed to provide both an understanding of the principals of canoeing in class II whitewater and an opportunity to develop skill through practice. You will learn about equipment, strokes, whitewater maneuvers (e.g., upstream and downstream ferries, eddy turns and peel-outs), river reading, safety, rescue techniques and knot tying. You will also have an opportunity to paddle both solo and in tandem. If the opportunity presents itself, we will take time to observe wildlife.

Fee: $165 per person.

Next dates:

9:00 am Saturday, 14 March 2015

9:00 am Sunday, 15 March 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 11 April 2015

9:00 am Sunday, 12 April 2015

9:00 am Saturday, 9 May 2015

9:00 am Sunday, 10 May 2015

Private Canoe Instruction

We offer one-on-one instruction for individuals looking to acquire canoeing skills in a private setting. From beginner flatwater canoeing to advanced whitewater canoeing, instruction will be tailored to the individual. The instructor will emphasize water safety and correct paddling technique.